I don’t know if anyone has mentioned the Fager John Baby Fulmer. It sounds appropriate.
lol they sure are! I bet you can find a used one. If they 5.5 was truly too big, that’s fine, just make sure you’re measuring by their measurements, as the curve of the bit makes it measure differently.
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Yeah the bit was for a horse that takes a 5.5"! That is what most of my bit collection is, and this guy definitely is a smidge under 5", so it depends on the bit 
. They never fit whatever you have on hand!
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I second (third, fourth?) the Myler Comfort Snaffle OR a baucher. One of my mares went well in the Comfort Snaffle for a while, but now prefers the baucher with a rubber mouthpiece and lozenge. I also have it in a Waterford, which was helpful when she was learning how to carry herself, and a mullen mouth, which both my mares just leeeean on.
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I really like the Bombers Happy Tongue. I have the D ring, and the rings are large, but I think maybe for a young OTTB, I’d lean a little more towards a full cheek with keepers. Although most OTTBs I’ve had or ridden seemed to love a fat, hollow mouth eggbutt single joint a lot of the time, despite having smaller mouths. The heaviness is in part young horse and weak stifles, and in part that is how a lot of them think they are supposed to go when there’s contact.
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Update: tried a double jointed D with the copper bean. He was better than the single joint, but still inverted at the trot (vs level/heavy but still inconsistent as with the Mullen options). However, the head twist was minimal and I liked the steering and feel I had vs the Mullen (like I said in the OP, it feels like you lost power steering). I could tough it out in the Mullen if I had to, but it really makes him lock up. The jointed options have sent him into giraffe mode 
.
Obviously a lot of this is him being green and weak, but with the drastic differences between consecutive rides with the only change being the bit, I think I’m justified in trying things.
I’m very intrigued by the bombers. If I can find a cheap baucher double joint I’ll probably grab that one too! Fingers crossed my Fager arrives on time - international shipping is hit or miss these days
If you want to try a (reasonably-priced) baucher I use this one on my guy for our dressage work and he genuinely seems to prefer it to the Neue Schule baucher that I also have because of course he does: https://cavalontack.com/collections/shop-all/products/brass-alloy-baucher-double-jointed-lozenge-mouth-bit
I’d like to point out that a lot of giraffe mode and inverting is just training. You can find a bit he likes and that won’t just go away overnight.
I know quite a few trainers who have bit boxes with only 3-4 bits in there and their horses go just fine.
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Oh, I’m aware. As I said upthread, the difference in consecutive rides with the only change being the bit is why I’m messing around.
The other horse that takes his bit size was perfectly happy in a French link D his whole riding career so I only owned that one bit when I got this guy, and it was a NOPE at first! The rest have been cheap used or clearance impulse buys (well not the Fager, but that was on the suggestion of the bit fitter).
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Which Fager did you get? My HS Duo came yesterday. Will try it after work.
Mattias in a full cheek. It locks upward so is supposed to give tongue relief without going near the palate or turning into a straight bar.
Let us know how the Duo does!
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I’d say a Myler Comfort snaffle or a Baucher–maybe a Herm Sprenger KK link just to keep the price point high!.
My experience with the Myler is that some horses love them and others are “meh.” But for the ones that love them, they’re great.
For my TB mare (my previous horse), who was very picky about what bit was in her mouth, the one bit she loved was a KK Butterfly (or B-ring) baucher which I don’t think they even make any more. You might be able to find one on ebay though.
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I’d try a D ring waterford. Sometimes the nervous horses really like it because there’s a lot going on in there (the linked balls will move around if they chew, which can be weirdly relaxing to them). It’s also kind of great in that horses can’t lean on it as easily but at the same time it isn’t harsh and causing the horse to back off of it.
Shayney is one that’s “meh” about mylers, but likes the bomber ported barrel which is largely similar. Must be different enough, though!
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I actually have one I’ve not tried… worth a shot! Thanks!
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Check out some of the online consignment stores for deals on bits. The Tried Equestrian gets a ton of nice ones in, I’m sure there are others. Some places will also do trials for an additional fee (Mary’s Tack, Fager, etc) or just have generous return policies (SmartPak and Dover both take bits back!). That’s how I managed the ridiculous trial-and-error period I went through to find what worked for my guy without spending a complete fortune.
I actually just sent a few of the bits I couldn’t return to TTE to consign so if anyone is looking for a deal on some Fager bits just keep an eye on their page 
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Thanks for the tip! I’ll check that site out.
Waterford was a NOPE with a side of F*€k you . I only had the rope bit on a bridle so I put that one back on after 10 minutes and had a much happier horse. I’m not sure what that says, maybe the joints are a problem? My Fager Mattias came in so that’s next on the list before I go back to the Mullen.
I didn’t realize how backed off he’s been with the other bits until I switched back to the rope and I had another gear. I’m not riding on a heavy contact so it isn’t that I’m cranking him in or anything.
Greenies! I’m guessing that stability and maybe minimal tongue pressure (even pressure or relief) are what he’s after. TBD.
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To be clear, the reason I’m not just sticking with the rope or the Mullen is because I’m worried about him chomping through the rope and he’s a freaking tank in the Mullen. I can deal with the tank and get him past it, but I’d rather find a happy bit for both of us!
Maybe try the bombers ported barrel then. It’s been a thumbs up from two sensitive horses I’ve extensively used it on.
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Yeah I think that’s the next one to find. They’re cheaper than some of the Mylers…
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